a terrifying thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrifying thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a fear or concern about a particular idea or scenario. Example: "As I considered the implications of climate change, I was struck by a terrifying thought about the future of our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The thought of doing anything when you're terrified is a terrifying thought.

Forbes

What a terrifying thought.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is a terrifying thought.

The Economist

It's a terrifying thought".

The Guardian

Now that really is a terrifying thought.

Independent

That is a terrifying thought".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It is a truly terrifying thought but the Grenfell Action Group firmly believe that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord," the group wrote on November 20 , 2016

The New Yorker

Last November, the group said: "It is a truly terrifying thought but the Grenfell Action Group firmly believe that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord".

Vice

Either one of those is a pretty terrifying thought".

The New York Times

It's a terrifying idea.

Huffington Post

For men like the Earl of Lansdowne, who tried to propose a negotiated peace, the terrifying thought was the slaughter of the class of well-bred young officers.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a terrifying thought" to introduce a point of significant concern or fear that warrants careful consideration. For example, when discussing potential risks or negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrifying thought" in situations where the concern is minor or the fear is not genuinely significant. Overusing it can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrifying thought" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe a concept or scenario that induces fear or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a terrifying thought" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a significant sense of fear or apprehension about an idea or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for expressing concern, particularly in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, overuse in casual settings should be avoided to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like ""a frightening idea"" or ""a chilling prospect"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frightening idea

Replaces "terrifying" with a synonym "frightening", focusing on the conceptual aspect.

a horrifying notion

Substitutes "terrifying" with "horrifying" and "thought" with "notion", intensifying the feeling of dread.

a chilling prospect

Uses "chilling" to convey a sense of fear and replaces "thought" with "prospect", emphasizing the anticipation of something scary.

a dreadful consideration

Employs "dreadful" to express intense fear and "consideration" instead of "thought", highlighting the act of contemplating something unpleasant.

a scary concept

Replaces "terrifying" with the more informal "scary" and "thought" with "concept", simplifying the language.

an alarming reflection

Uses "alarming" to describe a thought that causes concern, and substitutes "thought" for "reflection", emphasizing contemplation.

a disturbing idea

Replaces "terrifying" with "disturbing", focusing on the unsettling nature of the thought.

a grim possibility

Uses "grim" to convey a sense of foreboding and replaces "thought" with "possibility", emphasizing the potential for something bad to happen.

a foreboding feeling

Substitutes the noun phrase with a feeling, focusing on emotional response.

a worrisome proposition

Expresses concern by using "worrisome" and replaces "thought" with "proposition", indicating a suggestion or idea that causes anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "a terrifying thought" in a sentence?

Use "a terrifying thought" to introduce an idea or scenario that causes significant fear or anxiety. For example: "The possibility of losing all our savings was "a terrifying thought"."

What are some alternatives to "a terrifying thought"?

You can use alternatives like "a frightening idea", "a horrifying notion", or "a chilling prospect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a terrifying thought"?

Yes, "a terrifying thought" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to describe an idea or possibility that causes fear or anxiety.

What's the difference between "a terrifying thought" and "a scary thought"?

While both phrases convey a sense of fear, ""a terrifying thought"" suggests a more intense and profound fear compared to "a scary thought", which is often used for milder or more general fears.